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Are Lucky Pokémon Worth It in Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide

Absolutely! Lucky Pokémon are definitely worth it in Pokémon GO, especially for trainers looking to build strong teams without breaking the bank (of Stardust, that is!). They offer a fantastic combination of reduced resource costs and guaranteed decent stats, making them invaluable assets for both casual and competitive players. Let’s dive into why Lucky Pokémon are so desirable and how you can maximize your chances of obtaining these shimmering treasures.

Understanding the Benefits of Lucky Pokémon

The appeal of Lucky Pokémon stems from several key advantages:

Reduced Stardust Cost: This is the biggest draw for many players. Lucky Pokémon require 50% less Stardust to power up. Stardust is a crucial resource in Pokémon GO, needed to increase a Pokémon’s CP (Combat Power). Cutting the cost in half allows you to level up more Pokémon for raids, Gym battles, and PvP without depleting your resources.
Guaranteed High IVs (Individual Values): Every Pokémon in Pokémon GO has hidden stats known as IVs: Attack, Defense, and HP. These IVs range from 0 to 15 for each stat. Lucky Pokémon have a guaranteed IV floor of 12/12/12. This means that each of their IVs will be at least 12, ensuring they have a good baseline for battling. While they aren’t guaranteed perfect IVs, they are much more likely to be strong than randomly caught Pokémon.
Shimmery Effect: Aesthetically, Lucky Pokémon have a distinctive shimmering effect in your Pokédex and on their summary page, making them easy to identify and showing off your accomplishment.
Ease of Acquisition (Relative): While not guaranteed, trading with friends provides a good chance to obtain Lucky Pokémon. And with the Lucky Friend mechanic, you can even guarantee a Lucky trade, making the process more controllable than finding a high-IV Pokémon in the wild.

Maximizing Your Lucky Pokémon Opportunities

Here are a few tips for increasing your chances of getting Lucky Pokémon:

Trade Frequently with Friends: The more you trade, the more chances you have for a Pokémon to become Lucky.
Trade Older Pokémon: Pokémon that have been in your storage for a longer time have a higher chance of becoming Lucky when traded. Keep those old catches around!
Become Lucky Friends: Reach Best Friend status with other trainers and then interact with them daily (opening gifts, battling together, trading) for a chance to become Lucky Friends. The next trade between Lucky Friends is guaranteed to result in both Pokémon becoming Lucky.
Participate in Events: Sometimes, Pokémon GO offers events that increase the chances of Lucky Trades. Keep an eye on the in-game news and social media for announcements.

Considerations Before Trading

While Lucky Pokémon are valuable, it’s important to consider a few things before trading:

IV Trade-Off: Remember that when you trade, the IVs of the Pokémon are re-rolled. Even if you have a Pokémon with good IVs, it might end up with lower IVs after the trade, even if it becomes Lucky. Decide if the reduced Stardust cost is worth the potential IV change.
Pokémon Rarity: Trading a rare Pokémon is often worth it if you can get a Lucky version in return. However, consider the rarity of the Pokémon your trading partner is offering as well. Is it something you can easily acquire on your own?
Team Composition: Focus on getting Lucky Pokémon that fill gaps in your team or that are powerful attackers/defenders in the current meta.

Lucky Pokémon: An Investment in Your Trainer Journey

Ultimately, acquiring and utilizing Lucky Pokémon is a strategic investment in your Pokémon GO journey. The Stardust savings alone make them incredibly valuable, and the guaranteed decent IVs offer a significant advantage in battles. By understanding the mechanics and maximizing your opportunities, you can build a formidable team of Lucky Pokémon and conquer any challenge that comes your way.

Games Learning Society

For more insights into the strategic depth of games like Pokémon GO, and how they can be used for learning, explore the resources available at Games Learning Society. Learning the skills needed to play these kinds of games can be used later in life in various aspects of a career, like finance for example. The website for this academic society is https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is a Lucky Pokémon better than a regular high-IV Pokémon?

It depends. A perfect IV Pokémon (15/15/15) is technically stronger than a Lucky Pokémon with the minimum 12/12/12 IVs. However, the 50% Stardust reduction for a Lucky Pokémon often makes it more practical to power up, allowing you to invest in other Pokémon as well. So, a Lucky Pokémon with slightly lower IVs might be more valuable overall due to its lower cost.

2. Is a Lucky Pokémon better than a Shiny Pokémon?

This is a matter of preference. Shiny Pokémon are visually unique and highly sought after by collectors. Lucky Pokémon offer practical benefits in terms of Stardust cost and IVs. If you prioritize aesthetics, Shiny Pokémon are more desirable. If you prioritize battle effectiveness and resource management, Lucky Pokémon are the way to go.

3. Can a Pokémon be both Shiny and Lucky?

Yes! A Pokémon can be both Shiny and Lucky. This is incredibly rare and highly prized by collectors.

4. Does evolving a Lucky Pokémon keep the “Lucky” status?

Yes, evolving a Lucky Pokémon will result in a Lucky evolution. You won’t lose the Lucky status when evolving.

5. What is the chance of getting a Lucky Pokémon?

The base chance of a Pokémon becoming Lucky during a trade is around 5%. This chance increases the longer the Pokémon has been in your storage.

6. What is a “Lucky Friend”?

When you reach Best Friend status with another trainer, you have a chance to become Lucky Friends. This is triggered by interacting with them daily. The next trade you make with a Lucky Friend guarantees that both Pokémon will become Lucky. After the trade, you return to Best Friend status and have to become Lucky Friends again.

7. What are the minimum IVs for a Lucky Pokémon?

Lucky Pokémon have a guaranteed IV floor of 12/12/12. This means that each of their individual stats (Attack, Defense, HP) will be at least 12.

8. Can you trade Mythical Pokémon for a Lucky Pokémon?

No, Mythical Pokémon like Mew and Celebi cannot be traded in Pokémon GO. Therefore, they cannot become Lucky Pokémon through trading.

9. Can Shadow Pokémon become Lucky Pokémon?

No, you cannot directly trade Shadow Pokémon. To trade a Shadow Pokémon, you must purify it first, which removes the Shadow bonus.

10. How many trades can I do per day?

There is a limit of 100 trades per day per account.

11. Should I trade 0-star Pokémon?

Trading a 0-star Pokémon for a chance at a Lucky Pokémon can be a good strategy, especially if you don’t plan on using it otherwise. The Lucky status guarantees better IVs and reduces the Stardust cost, making it more valuable than a low-IV Pokémon.

12. What happens if I transfer a Lucky Pokémon by accident?

Once a Pokémon is transferred, it’s gone. You can’t retrieve it. Be extra careful when transferring Lucky Pokémon, especially if they have sentimental value or strategic importance.

13. Why can’t I transfer my Lucky Pokémon?

You likely have it marked as a “favorite” (starred). Unfavorite the Pokémon, and you’ll be able to transfer it. Also, Lucky Pokémon cannot be mass transferred; you must transfer them one at a time.

14. Do event bonuses affect the Lucky Pokémon chance?

Yes, occasionally events in Pokémon GO will temporarily boost the chance to get Lucky Pokémon from trades. Pay attention to official announcements to take advantage of these opportunities.

15. Are Lucky Pokémon permanent?

Yes, the “Lucky” status is permanent. Once a Pokémon becomes Lucky, it remains Lucky forever. The Lucky Friend status, however, is not permanent. It disappears once you complete a Lucky Trade and you must try to become Lucky Friends again.

Are Lucky Pokemon worth it?